My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266: Dinner

Her handbag was clutched loosely in one hand. She carried herself with her usual calm elegance, her gaze fixed ahead as she made her way inside.

Herbert was saying something about being pleased that I had accepted his invitation, but my attention had already drifted elsewhere.

For the first time that day, I had the chance to properly look at her.

My gaze followed her instinctively.

She looked different from the woman I remembered.

More mature.

More confident.

The years had changed her, yet somehow she was still the Alicia I couldn’t forget.

A strange tightness settled in my chest.

I forced myself to look away.

Failed.

Every time I tried, my eyes found her again.

Just then, a servant entered carrying a tray of refreshments, briefly blocking my view.

By the time the tray was set down and the servant left, Alicia had already reached the foot of the staircase.

Then I heard it.

"Mummy!"

A small voice rang through the mansion.

My head lifted immediately.

A little girl came running down the stairs.

"Slow down, baby," Alicia called out, worry evident in her voice.

But the little girl paid no attention.

She raced down the remaining steps and threw herself into Alicia’s arms.

Alicia laughed softly as she caught her.

The sight before me was so warm that it almost hurt.

Mother and daughter.

So natural.

So beautiful.

And yet, heartbreakingly out of reach.

At that moment, everything else faded away.

Herbert’s voice.

The mansion.

All I could see was my wife and daughter sharing a moment that should have included me.

A moment I had missed for years.

Alicia suddenly turned around, and our eyes met.

This time, neither of us looked away.

Something flickered across her eyes the moment she realized I had been watching them.

Guilt.

Fear.

Or perhaps something else entirely.

I couldn’t tell.

All I knew was that the calmness in her eyes had vanished.

The little girl followed Alicia’s gaze until her eyes landed on me.

For a brief moment, something resembling familiarity flashed across her face, as though she had seen me somewhere before.

Then she simply looked away.

Only then did I realize I had been staring.

I tore my gaze away and found Herbert looking at me in silence.

"Are you alright, Chairman Blackwood?" he asked.

I nodded. "I’m fine."

His eyes drifted toward Alicia before returning to me. A faint frown crossed his face, but he didn’t ask any questions.

Alicia gently took the little girl’s hand and led her upstairs.

After they disappeared from sight, Herbert resumed our conversation, though I did little more than listen.

A few minutes later, a blonde, middle-aged woman entered the living room with a warm smile.

"You’re back, honey," she said as she walked over and sat beside Herbert.

"Yes." Herbert smiled before turning to me. "Chairman Blackwood, this is my wife, Margaret."

He then looked at her.

"Margaret, this is Chairman Blackwood. He’ll be joining us for dinner tonight."

"It’s nice to finally meet you," Margaret said warmly. "I’ve heard a lot about you from my husband."

"The pleasure is mine," I replied politely.

She rose to her feet with another gentle smile.

"I won’t interrupt your discussion then. I’ll go check on the kitchen."

"Alright," Herbert said.

She smiled at me once more before leaving the room.

Not long afterward, one of the staff informed us that dinner was ready.

Herbert led me into the dining room and showed me to my seat.

By the time I sat down, everyone else had already gathered.

Veronica, the company’s vice president and Herbert’s younger sister, had also arrived. Since we had already met at the company earlier, we simply exchanged polite greetings.

Herbert’s daughter sat beside the little girl, chatting happily with her.

Across the table...

Alicia quietly took her seat opposite mine.

Dinner began in a surprisingly lively atmosphere.

‎Margaret was the first to fill Aimy’s plate, carefully picking out the vegetables she knew the little girl disliked.

‎"Eat your carrots too," she said gently.

‎Aimy pouted.

‎"But Grandma..."

‎"No negotiations."

‎The little girl sighed dramatically before obediently taking a bite, earning a laugh from everyone at the table.

‎

‎Even Veronica chuckled.

Why had Herbert introduced Alicia to me as his niece?

None of it made sense.

Alicia’s father had been an only child. Her grandparents had lived with them until they passed away a few years before him.

As for Alicia’s mother...

She had died when Alicia was still young. I knew almost nothing about her side of the family.

I remained silent, but the questions continued piling up in my mind.

Just then, Aimy finished chewing and tugged gently on Margaret’s sleeve.

"Grandma, can I have some more shrimp?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

Margaret smiled lovingly before peeling a few shrimp herself and placing them onto the little girl’s plate.

"Thank you, Grandma!"

Aimy beamed before leaning over to kiss Margaret on the cheek.

"My good girl," Margaret said affectionately, gently stroking her hair.

I looked at Herbert.

He was watching the interaction with the contented smile of a proud grandfather.

Grandma.

Grandpa.

My grip around the cutlery tightened.

By blood...

They weren’t.

Yet anyone watching them would never question that they were a family.

Just then, Margaret noticed the little food on my plate.

"Chairman Blackwood, please have some more. The shrimp is our specialty. You really should try it."

She gestured toward the platter.

"Thank you, Mrs. Whitemore, but this is more than enough."

"Oh, come now." She laughed softly. "You must at least try it."

Following her gaze, I realized the platter was sitting directly in front of Alicia.

Margaret noticed as well.

"Alicia, would you mind passing the shrimp to Chairman Blackwood?"

Instinctively, I looked up.

Our eyes met.

She froze for the briefest moment before reaching for the platter.

As she handed it over, our fingers brushed lightly against each other.

Both of us stiffened.

It lasted only a second.

But it was enough.

The atmosphere around the table grew strangely quiet.

Herbert cleared his throat first, breaking the silence....